Auto Review: 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

By Ron Amadon, MarketWatch

DAMASCUS, MD. (MarketWatch) — When Hyundai’s Genesis first hit the market in 2008, there were muffled calls that about the only thing missing in this upscale sedan was power.

So Hyundai has added a 5.0-liter, 429 horsepower V-8 to the mix, producing 376 lb-ft of torque, to create the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec. Tied to an eight-speed automatic, the engine produces 0 to 60 mph in just a whisker under five seconds.

Merging onto a virtually deserted interstate and flooring the Gensis was enough to put the back of my noggin up against up against the headrest. This should end any talk that the Genesis needs more power.

2012
Hyundai Genesis
5.0 R-Spec

/conga/story/2012/01/01282012hyundai_genesis.html
189327

Steps were taken to shore up the suspension to handle all the power, so the ride is a bit stiffer than the stock model but not excessively so. The suspension hung in there during a drive along curvy Route 25 here in Maryland.

But at the same time, Hyundai

/quotes/zigman/189436 KR:A005380
-3.49%

clearly wanted to lock out of this revitalization effort any fun factor. It’s like the dentist that gave the patient too much Novocain.

Driving buffs will continue to spend their bucks on competing models from Audi

/quotes/zigman/150423 VLKAY
+0.55%

, BMW

/quotes/zigman/143329 DE:BMW
-0.51%

and Mercedes

/quotes/zigman/610399 DDAIY
-0.94%

/quotes/zigman/231580 DE:DAI
-1.17%

Hyundai’s effort to keep Genesis from being identified as one of its products means that the only exterior identification of the maker comes to the rear in the form of a Genesis sign.

Body design follows all of the current norms, but at the end of the day one wonders if it is in some sort of witness-protection program.

Inside, the Genesis continues Hyundai’s program of offering tons of standard equipment.

It will seat four adults. And they will be protected by a rear sunscreen that automatically lowers when the car is put into reverse. The seats were very comfortable and adjustable six ways to last Sunday.

The heater was a tad slow in warming the interior on a very cold morning but the system was easy to control as was the 17-speaker Lexicon audio system. The navigation system, however, got an F minus for being overly complicated when it came to adding in destinations.

The trunk was big enough to haul home a big load of groceries, but at these prices I thought the key fob should also raise and lower the lid, rather than just unlock it.

A total of $46,535 will enable you to drive this Genesis home.

That gets you a well-built car with tons of equipment that would be optional elsewhere with impressive power and handling numbers. Yet, owners are unlikely to pop out of bed on a spring Sunday morning anxious to exercise their Genesis on a favorite back road .

It is unusual for Hyundai to miss a mark so completely. Ahh, well. Even future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols struck out 58 times last season.

Vehicles tested for this column are on loan from the auto companies through local distributors.

/quotes/zigman/189436